MORGAN, Minn. – State Auditor Julie Blaha and State Senator Melissa Franzen, who had been palling around and shaking hands at Minnesota Farmfest, escaped serious injury when their car and a semi-truck collided. The driver of the 2007 International truck, Patrick Michael Crain, 70, of Franklin, who had the right-of-way on State Highway 57, was unhurt. Blaha, 51, and Franzen, 41, were taken to the Redwood Falls hospital 13 miles away and released after an overnight stay. They were leaving the Farmfest grounds about 5 p.m. in Franzen’s 2016 Jeep Cherokee to head back to the Twin Cities. The State Patrol said rod conditions were dry. The accident was at the sharp-angled intersection of State Highway 37 and County Road 13.
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Blaha. A Democrat. State auditor since 2019. From Ramsey. Holds a Saint Mary’s University master’s in education. Formerly taught middle school. Was state AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer.
Franzen. A Democrat. Elected in 2013 to Senate from District 49, which comprises southwest Cities suburbs. Senate assistant majority leader. Home: Hopkins. Co-founder of New Publica public relations firm. Law =degree from Hamlin 2006.